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Dead and diseased red robins

stuartZRw5lV4qstuartZRw5lV4q Posts: 6
in Problem solving
We planted a number of red robins around our property. One has died and another looks dead. All the leaves are red.


the leaves all red and drooping.



The others all have spots of disease on the leaves. I have sprayed all of them with treatment. 



They are well watered. Seem to have got worse in last 4 months. South facing.

The trees either side of the red one seem to be getting worse.

Does anyone know what I need to do? We’ve not pruned these since planting in March ‘19.

Thanks, Stuart
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Posts

  • gjautosgjautos Posts: 429
    Hi Stuart. What did you spray them with? Photinias are normally pretty easy and trouble free. What was planted there before?
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    Most shrubs tend to do better when planted in young. Judging from the size, I think your shrubs are still trying to settle in. This can take up to 3-4 years. Roots are probably still trying to settle into the surrounding soil. That is why you see the issues showing with red leaves, a sign of stress. 

    The leaf spot is a common issue that affects Photinas. In severe cases, the leaves drop, but unlikely to kill your whole shrub. Your best bet is to make sure all leaves are promptly removed from the base to minimise re-infection.

    They are quite sensitive to cold weather and leaves will droop in cold nights or consistent cold weather. When your shrub establishes into the ground, it will happen less. I suspect the shrubs are still not getting enough water during the warm months. They need a lot of water per shrub, so you need to keep on top of that this year to ensure they can take the cold and harsh weather in the winter.
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134
    Upvoting Borderline's comment. Give them a bit of time. The leaf spot isn't a disease, it's a 'physiological disorder', I quote, so you could try giving some slow release fertiliser in the spring, and just bide your time. They are a good plant. Once better established with more roots they won't need so much water. (By that time little ones planted at the same time will have caught up with them!)
  • stuartZRw5lV4qstuartZRw5lV4q Posts: 6
    gjautos said:
    Hi Stuart. What did you spray them with? Photinias are normally pretty easy and trouble free. What was planted there before?
    Thank you, I used Fungus Clear Ultra. There was nothing there before, it's a new space that was cleared when we extended the house so there was nothing notable along the wall. 
  • stuartZRw5lV4qstuartZRw5lV4q Posts: 6
    Borderline said:
    Most shrubs tend to do better when planted in young. Judging from the size, I think your shrubs are still trying to settle in. This can take up to 3-4 years. Roots are probably still trying to settle into the surrounding soil. That is why you see the issues showing with red leaves, a sign of stress. 

    The leaf spot is a common issue that affects Photinas. In severe cases, the leaves drop, but unlikely to kill your whole shrub. Your best bet is to make sure all leaves are promptly removed from the base to minimise re-infection.

    They are quite sensitive to cold weather and leaves will droop in cold nights or consistent cold weather. When your shrub establishes into the ground, it will happen less. I suspect the shrubs are still not getting enough water during the warm months. They need a lot of water per shrub, so you need to keep on top of that this year to ensure they can take the cold and harsh weather in the winter.
    Thank you. The tres were watered regularly during the dry months and is well watered now. I am keeping on top of clearing any dropped leaves. Yes, the trees were 3 meters when planted, so not new.

    Do you think the tree is still alive then, even with the leaves looking like they do?
  • stuartZRw5lV4qstuartZRw5lV4q Posts: 6
    Cambridgerose12 said:
    Upvoting Borderline's comment. Give them a bit of time. The leaf spot isn't a disease, it's a 'physiological disorder', I quote, so you could try giving some slow release fertiliser in the spring, and just bide your time. They are a good plant. Once better established with more roots they won't need so much water. (By that time little ones planted at the same time will have caught up with them!)
    Thank you, ill try the fertilizer, any particular one you would recommend?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    These photinias are only trouble free if they have the right conditions. 
    In cold, wet climates they always look terrible. They need enough warmth, enough water, and enough drainage to do well. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    They probably could have done with more water in the dry weather. "Well-watered" is subjective - I've seen people pointing a hose on a plant for a minute and thinking job done. Buckets full for each plant, once or twice every week, poured on very slowly so it soaks into the ground, is much better than a daily sprinkle from a hose. If that's what yours got, then perhaps they just don't like your climate or soil. Do they grow well in other nearby gardens?

    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • stuartZRw5lV4qstuartZRw5lV4q Posts: 6
    JennyJ said:
    They probably could have done with more water in the dry weather. "Well-watered" is subjective - I've seen people pointing a hose on a plant for a minute and thinking job done. Buckets full for each plant, once or twice every week, poured on very slowly so it soaks into the ground, is much better than a daily sprinkle from a hose. If that's what yours got, then perhaps they just don't like your climate or soil. Do they grow well in other nearby gardens?

    Thanks. Watering was with a hose every 5 days and throughout the summer so it was thoroughly soaked. They certainly seem to be in the area, the rest of the garden is fine and healthy.
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    Your shrubs look alive to me, but quite stressed. Normally, drooping leaves indicate roots not fully anchored into the soil, so I suspect the roots are not growing deep enough into the surrounding soil yet. But, it takes time for plants your size. As mentioned before, your shrubs came into the ground quite mature, so even if they were properly cared for, with watering and planting-in, they need time to adapt to your local climate. 

    Photinas are sensitive to cold weather when compared to other shrubs. So, on consistent cold nights, it is very possible to see drooping leaves for long periods. But hopefully, when the weather improves, the leaves will pick up.
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